Alabama Football Completes Day Three of Fall PracticeThe University of Alabama football squad completed the third day of fall practice Thursday, donning shoulder pads for the first time in the two-plus hour workout at Thomas-Drew fields.

Thursday, August 07, 2003

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama football squad completed the third day of fall practice Thursday, donning shoulder pads for the first time in the two-plus hour workout at Thomas-Drew fields.

"There were some better things today," head coach Mike Shula said, "but we put the ball on the ground too much, and any time you do that it takes away from a good practice.

"Yesterday we saw guys make mistakes and today was more encouraging, but there were still some mistakes."

Shula said that he spent more time observing special teams Thursday, and some newcomers stood out also.

"The kicking game I got a little better feel for, I was out there toward the end of practice. Jeremy Schatz stood out at punter, he kicked the ball consistently.

"Dominic Lee got in there against some of the older guys (in compete drills) and I think he held his own."

Two-a-day sessions will be held Aug. 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 while one-a-day practices will be conducted on Aug. 11,13, 15, 17 and 19 before classes begin on Aug. 20.

Alabama will begin the 2003 season on Aug. 30 against South Florida at Birmingham's Legion Field. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN, with kickoff scheduled at 2 p.m. (CDT).